Scale Model Aircraft Building - Basics

The first, and most fundamental, thing is to pick something you like, that you are interested in. That way you will keep your motivation throughout the build process. If you pick, for example, a civil model, but your interest is in military aircraft, and you buy the model 'because it's the only one they had', or in your price range etc, then you will struggle to get motivation to start it, let alone finish it.

The second important thing is the skill level of the kit. This varies between manufacturers - some have a better reputation for parts fitment than others. Do your research on these before purchasing your first model airplane kit. The last thing you want is to spend your money on a kit that becomes too difficult to complete, or you lose your motivation due to bad parts fitment. Don't rush out and buy a kit that has all the bells and whistles as this will have an adverse affect, start with a basic model, with a low parts count.


So we are at the point where you have decided on the model subject, and selected the kit you are going to build, but what with? You need tools!

This is where things can start getting expensive - as there are unlimited tools available for the model maker. But remember, we are starting at the beginning with the basics. You need some cutters to remove the parts, a sharp knife or file to trim the parts, glue to hold it all together, and a paintbrush (or variety) for, obviously, painting. Next you will need some paints and appropriate thinners to clean your paintbrush.

Don't try to rush the process of building your model aircraft, you are more likely to make mistakes that way, and not enjoy it. This is a hobby at the end of the day - you are meant to enjoy it.

So now it's time to start. You have your model, you have your tools, and you have your paints. You may have seen this kit that other people have built. The last thing you want to do is try to copy them, or compare your work with theirs. This will only lead to frustration and negativity if the results you get don't look as good. It doesn't matter, your enjoyment and satisfaction in what you have done is the only important thing.

So let's get to work. Start off by studying the instructions, and finding the parts on the sprues. Familiarise yourself with how the manufacturer has drawn the diagrams, and instructs you to put it all together. Go through the whole manual so you are familiar with it, and how each section fits together. If you follow the instructions step-by-step you shouldn't run into too many difficulties, but you need to understand what they want you to do before you put the glue to it. Once you are familiar with the instructions, take each section at a time. You will likely find that each section has a number of parts in it.

It is generally recommended that you wash all the parts before you start. When they are made, a release agent is used to easily take the parts out of the moulds. You want to remove this, as it can stop the glue and paint sticking correctly. Use warm soapy water for this, and rinse it off properly. Don't use hot water as this can distort the plastic. Normal dish washing soap is fine for this.

Any parts that become one structure, such as an engine block, can be assembled before painting. Other, smaller parts, you may find easier to paint while still on the sprue.

Carefully cut the parts off the sprue with either a pair of side cutters or a sharp knife. The use either the knife or file to smooth the point of removal. You are then ready to glue. There are a variety of glues available, but we will assume you are using basic polystyrene cement. This glue works by melting the plastic parts together creating a strong weld. This glue only works properly if the parts are clean and free of grease and paint.

Before applying any glue, check how the parts fit together (dry fit) as a test run so you are familiar with any attachment points that require glue, and how to fit the parts. This will prevent any mistakes being made by having to redo after gluing.

Use something like an old CD, or milk bottle top to put a little bit of glue into. Then use something small and pointy to apply the glue. Cocktail sticks are ideal for this, but equally you can use a pin etc. Get a small amount of glue on your stick and then apply this to the joining edge of one part. Then put the parts together. You will have a bit of time to move the parts to fit correctly if needed, but then leave the parts for the glue to fully set.

When it comes to painting, there are a few more things you need to know. Firstly, there are different types of paint that react with the plastic and each other differently. This is commonly referred to as the strength. So for example, Acrylic paints are mild. You can use these over bare plastic and other paints with no reactions. They are generally easy to use and easy to clean up after. I would recommend these as the paints to use when starting out. The next common paint in modelling is Enamel. These generally come in small metal pots. These can react with acrylic paints, and plastic if not used correctly, so a plastic primer is recommended before using these. You can use Acrylics over these with no problems once they have fully dried. The next paint type is Lacquer. These again will react with the acrylic paints and plastic, but also with enamels as well. These should be reserved for painting areas that other paints generally won't be used, like the body of a car. Again, you can use acrylics or enamels over these with no problems.

With painting, the important thing is to get an even coverage. If the paint you use doesn't quite cover the area and you can see the colour of either the plastic or paint below, know as bleed through, wait for it to dry and add another coat. Remember, it is better to apply a number of thin coats that one thick coat. Familiarise yourself with the paints you are using and their respective drying times. Don't try to go back to a part that is still drying as you will end up in a mess. If necessary, leave it until the next day before you proceed. This requires patience, but rushing causes mistakes. Any attachment points need to be free of paint. If you have any paint on that area, carefully remove it with either the tip of your knife or a file before applying the glue to get a nice strong joint. If you have painted the part on the sprue, then touch it up before attaching it to hide this.

The last thing you may have in the box is the decal sheet. To some, these can be the difference between a nice clean model aircraft, and one that ends up in the bin, but that doesn't need to be the case. Cut the decal from the sheet using your knife, or a pair of scissors, and then put the decal sheet to one side. Place you decal into some warm water for a few seconds until all of the backing paper has fully absorbed water. Then remove it and lay it on a flat surface. You may find that it has curled up at this point. This is normal. Leave it for 30-60 seconds and you should see this flatten out. Once this has happened it should be ready to use. Rub your finger over it and ensure the decal moves freely on the backing paper. Put the backing paper roughly in the area you want to apply the decal. Carefully hold the decal in place with your finger and slide the backing paper from under it. You can then position the decal exactly where it needs to be. Once you have it positioned, use a tissue or soft cloth to remove any excess water and then leave it to fully dry. If you have a lot of decals to apply, it's an idea to do them in stages to avoid damaging them.

So that's it. You are ready to build your first scale model aircraft. Remember, don't rush it and most importantly enjoy yourself.